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  • Apple might turn to Anthropic to power its big Siri upgrade – Quartz

    1. Apple might turn to Anthropic to power its big Siri upgrade  Quartz
    2. Tech giants play musical chairs with foundation models  Axios
    3. Breakingviews – Apple fruitlessly ponders the innovator’s dilemma  Reuters
    4. Apple fruitlessly ponders the innovator’s dilemma  Breakingviews
    5. Don’t count out Apple in the ‘AI race’: It might be in the best position of all  Yahoo Finance

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  • Sergej Milinkovic-Savic interview – FIFA

    1. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic interview  FIFA
    2. Al Hilal, Fluminense oust City and Inter in Club World Cup shocks  Dawn
    3. How Al Hilal’s CWC win over Man City shifts perceptions of Saudi football  Al Jazeera
    4. Manchester City 3-4 Al-Hilal: Pep Guardiola’s men stunned in thrilling World Club Cup last-16 tie  BBC
    5. Winners and losers as Man City’s shock Club World Cup exit exposes scale of Pep Guardiola’s rebuild despite Phil Foden and new signings impressing in the U.S.  Goal.com

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  • Racing Bulls unveil special livery for British Grand Prix

    Racing Bulls unveil special livery for British Grand Prix

    Racing Bulls and their partner HUGO have unveiled a special livery for the British Grand Prix in collaboration with Nigerian artist Slawn.

    Revealed by Slawn along with Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar at the Flannels X store in London this evening, the link-up sees the VCARB 02 adorned with Slawn’s caricature style street art.

    The artwork will also feature on the drivers’ race suits and the team’s kit across the weekend, while Slawn will also be in the paddock on Thursday alongside Lawson and Hadjar where the squad say he will be “designing the garage IRL”.

    Slawn’s famed graffiti aesthetic – rooted in his Yoruba heritage and London’s urban culture – has seen him make his name in the city’s art landscape. He has also previously made a foray into the world of sports, having designed the Emirates FA Cup Trophy in May this year.

    Racing Bulls say of the collaboration: “His work challenges traditional art norms and thrives on hype and disruption, making it a perfect synergy between VCARB and HUGO.”

    Peter Bayer, the team’s CEO, said: “Slawn’s work is unlike anything we’ve seen in Formula 1, and that’s exactly why this collaboration felt right. Partnering with HUGO and Slawn has allowed us to push creative boundaries in a way that reflects the bold identity of our team.

    “Silverstone is a massive moment in the season, and we’re proud to bring something completely original to our fans.”

    Slawn commented: “Art meets speed, and I brought the madness. Big love to HUGO and VCARB for trusting the vision.”

    James Foster, SVP of Global Marketing at HUGO BOSS, added: “Witnessing the big reveal of Slawn’s fresh, energetic art on the VCARB Team’s new livery and his exciting takeover will consolidate HUGO’s ambition to take F1 further off-track and into culture.

    “This collaboration is a brilliant demonstration of the power of going your own way, which is at the core of HUGO and VCARB’s DNA. All eyes will be on VCARB during the action at Silverstone.”

    Check out Racing Bulls’ special Silverstone livery in the gallery above.

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  • Tinder tests facial recognition technology to verify user identities

    Tinder tests facial recognition technology to verify user identities

    Dating app Tinder is testing new facial recognition technology aimed at reducing fraud and impersonation, as well as rebuilding trust with its users.

    The feature, first reported by Axios, is called “Face Check,” and it is now mandatory for Tinder users in California. It prompts users to take a short video of themselves, which then creates a biometric face scan to verify the user’s identity, that they are a human and that the scan matches their profile photos.

    According to Axios, the feature also checks to see if the user’s face matches other profiles. Once verified, users will get a special badge on their profile.

    This verification process is part of Tinder’s efforts to ensure people on the platform are who they claim to be, potentially addressing concerns about catfishing and fake profiles.

    The company has not yet announced when the feature might roll out to users in other states or countries.

    This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.


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  • Kvitova’s Wimbledon career ends with loss to Navarro

    Kvitova’s Wimbledon career ends with loss to Navarro

    Two-time champion Petra Kvitova played the final Wimbledon match of her career on Tuesday at the All England Club, falling 6-3, 6-1 to No. 10 seed Emma Navarro.

    Wimbledon: Scores Order of play | Draws

    The former World No. 2 announced earlier this month that she’ll retire from tennis after the US Open, following a brief return to the Hologic WTA Tour this year after the 2024 birth of her son Petr. A wild card for her 16th Wimbledon appearance this year, the 35-year-old left-hander led Navarro — who reached the quarterfinals in 2024 — by a break in the first set at 3-1, but lost 11 of the last 12 games to drop the curtain on her career at the tournament she won in 2011 and 2014.

    After the defeat, which lasted exactly 1 hour, Kvitova spoke from the heart to the fans. She said that while she “wish[ed] they could’ve played a little bit longer,” she enjoyed a “beautiful atmosphere” on No. 1 Court.

    “To have another chance to player here one more time, it means a lot to me,” Kvitova said. “This place holds the best memories I could wish for. I never dreamed of winning a Wimbledon, and I won it twice, so this is something very, very special. 

    “I will miss Wimbledon for sure. I will miss tennis, I will miss the fans, but I’m ready for the next chapter in life as well.”

    Kvitova ends her Wimbledon career with a 38-14 record in main-draw matches at the tournament. Her victories, and total matches, at the event leads active players. 

    Navarro, who beat Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff on her way to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Wimbledon last year — which she then bettered with a run to the semifinals of the US Open — will face either Veronika Kudermetova or Zhu Lin in the second round. A potential third-round match with No. 17 seed and defending champion Barbora Krejcikova could await the American in the third round, with No. 7 seed Mirra Andreeva also still alive in a third quarter of the draw that lost No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula earlier on Tuesday.

    More to come…

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  • F1 and Motorsport Network unveil 2025 Global Fan Survey

    F1 and Motorsport Network unveil 2025 Global Fan Survey

    Formula 1 and Motorsport Network – the world’s largest motorsport media company – have released the 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey, a study conducted every four years to track how fan engagement is evolving across the sport globally.

    The survey was launched earlier this year and, based on more than 100,000 responses from self-identified, highly engaged fans in 186 countries, the findings offer a detailed snapshot of the modern fan mindset and show that Formula 1 is increasingly attracting a new, younger and more female audience, with growth in markets such as the United States.

    The research shows that fans are increasingly drawn to Formula 1 by the breadth of stories and the variety of ways to engage with the sport – and they’re staying for the speed, strategy, and spectacle. Digital highlights and the full white paper are available to download and view.

    “This study shows that fans are increasingly following Formula 1 for the stories and the many opportunities to engage with the sport, and then they’re becoming hooked on the fantastic racing,” said Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1.

    “The sport is embedded in culture now, via streaming, storytelling, and social media, and that’s helping more people connect. With Motorsport Network, we’ve been able to take a deeper look at what modern fandom really looks like in 2025 and ensure our strategy to bring in new fans remains on track.”

    Werner Brell, CEO of Motorsport Network, added: “This survey isn’t just a snapshot – it’s a signal to the marketplace. Gen Z, women, and US fans are driving an always-on, connected, and culturally powerful era for F1. It points to how we can better serve fans, connect them with partners, and seize the biggest commercial opportunities for the sport’s future.”

    Emerging demographics

    The full study spans eight chapters, covering emotional motivators and content engagement to live experiences, lifestyle signals, and sponsorship impact. It offers insights to help better understand and serve F1’s most engaged fans – and a view into the future of sports fandom more broadly.

    Gen Z is helping shape the rhythm of modern fandom, engaging with the sport more frequently and on a deeper emotional level. Two-thirds of survey respondents say they feel personally inspired by F1 drivers or teams, and in the US 70% of the study’s Gen Z respondents engage with F1 content daily – especially through streaming video and social media.

    Female fans now account for three in four new fans. Most are newer to the sport and skew younger, with nearly half of all Gen Z respondents being women.

    With the largest country share of survey respondents, fans in the US continue to stand out for their growth, youth, and digital fluency. They over-index on content engagement, sponsor responsiveness, and daily touchpoints, signalling a market where fandom is evolving rapidly and is commercially primed.

    Among respondents:

    • 94% plan to follow F1 in five years
    • 73% of US fans plan to attend a race in the future
    • 61% engage with F1 content daily
    • 42% of female fans already follow F1 ACADEMY
    • 76% say sponsors enhance the sport

    Key findings

    Modern F1 fandom is emotional, participatory, and always-on

    Formula 1 fans aren’t just watching, they’re investing, interacting, and engaging with the sport frequently. Among surveyed fans, 90% say they’re emotionally invested in race outcomes and 61% engage with F1 content daily. Across platforms and time zones, surveyed fans are shaping a continuous connection to the sport – one that reflects a more dynamic, always-on relationship with Formula 1.

    The thrill unites

    Across all audience segments, speed and performance remain the most powerful motivators, with 90% of respondents saying they’re emotionally invested in race outcomes.

    Fans are committed and intend to stay

    Among surveyed fans, commitment runs deep. 94% say they intend to follow Formula 1 five years from now, and 86% watch 16 or more races per season.

    Content is the new entry point and emotional driver for engagement

    Many newer and younger fans are discovering Formula 1 through social media, streaming series, and shared content – entry points that now shape how they connect with the sport. They are more likely to form identity-based connections with Formula 1, citing driver personalities and narrative drama as key drivers of engagement. 70% of Gen Z respondents feel that Formula 1 represents a status or image that appeals to them.

    Sponsorship drives consideration

    76% of respondents believe sponsors enhance the F1 experience. One in three are more likely to purchase from F1 partners, with favourability rising to 40% among Gen Z respondents.

    Live experiences deepen connection

    Intent to attend Formula 1 events is rising. 41% of surveyed fans who haven’t attended an F1 fan experience plan to do so in the future. From Grands Prix to pop-ups, brand activations, exhibitions, and arcade-style venues, fans are increasingly seeking immersive ways to engage with the sport live and in-person.

    F1 ACADEMY signals a new kind of growth

    23% of surveyed fans say they follow F1 ACADEMY, and among women that rises to 42%, making it the second-most-followed series after Formula 1 itself. The all-female racing platform is gaining momentum among newer audiences too, with 37% of Gen Z and 36% of newer respondents engaging – underscoring the demand for inclusive storytelling and representation on the grid.

    United States: a growth market to watch

    The United States accounted for the largest country share of survey respondents, offering a lens into one of Formula 1’s most dynamic national markets. While Europe remains the largest region overall, the US stands out for accelerating fan growth, especially among younger, digital-first audiences.

    Among US-based participants:

    • 73% plan to attend a US race in the future
    • 70% of Gen Z respondents engage with F1 content daily
    • 40% follow a driver first (vs. team or sport)
    • 37% have purchased F1 merchandise
    • 39% of Gen Z respondents and 41% of surveyed women say they’re more likely to consider an F1 sponsor product

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  • Pakistani youth ambassador shines at Eurasia Global 2025 in Russia

    Pakistani youth ambassador shines at Eurasia Global 2025 in Russia

    Tehzeeb Hussain Bercha, a freelance journalist and columnist from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, proudly represented his country at Eurasia Global 2025, one of the world’s premier international youth forums, held in Orenburg, Russia.
     
    Bercha was the sole delegate from Pakistan among more than 300 young leaders representing 110 countries and over 80 regions of the Russian Federation. His participation at the high-profile event underscores the growing role of Pakistani youth in global conversations on peace, media, and sustainability, said a press release received here on Tuesday.
     
     
    Eurasia Global is organized annually by the Russian Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) in collaboration with the Government of the Orenburg Region and the Directorate of the World Youth Festival. The forum serves as a platform for youth from around the globe to engage in intercultural dialogue, develop international cooperation, and explore solutions to shared global challenges.
     
    Speaking to various Russian media outlets during the forum,  Bercha emphasized the critical need for youth involvement in shaping a more peaceful and multipolar world.
     
    “In light of increasing global challenges such as geopolitical tensions, climate change, and the erosion of trust between nations, youth must emerge as proactive leaders. We are the future, and it is our responsibility to contribute meaningfully to peacebuilding, sustainability, and international dialogue,” he stated.
     
    He further highlighted the double-edged role of media in the modern world: “Media, when used responsibly, is a powerful instrument of diplomacy and dialogue. However, in today’s world order, it is also often misused by some powers to manipulate narratives and spread disinformation. It is imperative for young journalists and communicators to reclaim media as a tool for truth, understanding, and global cooperation.”
     
    Mr. Bercha’s participation at Eurasia Global 2025 not only marks a proud moment for Pakistan on the international stage but also strengthens the message that the country’s youth are ready to contribute to the global discourse on peace, development, and responsible media.


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  • this meaty restaurant drama is still an enticing bingeable prospect

    this meaty restaurant drama is still an enticing bingeable prospect

    Take a soupçon of identity crisis, a pinch of perfectionism, a scoop of burnout and mix thoroughly with a large measure of fraternal grief and sear over a hot grill and voilà! You have The Bear, a perfectly blended drama about a chef on the edge, driven by relentless ambition and exacting standards as he turns his family’s humble sandwich shop into a fine-dining restaurant.

    This intoxicating family drama was eaten up by critics and audiences alike in 2022, its first season garnering a rare perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the subsequent two reaching scores of 99% and 89% respectively. It’s certainly a hard act to follow for season four.

    The first ten minutes of The Bear’s pilot episode thrillingly defined what was to come in high-octane style and scene-setting detail. The first season delivered a clever mix of authentic dialogue and setting, relatable family dysfunction and dynamic production style.

    Showstopping scenes of stressful kitchen heat were served up alongside a delectable range of new and established talent in the form of Jeremy Allen White (Carmy), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Richie), Ayo Edebiri (Sydney) and Oliver Platt (Cicero/Uncle Jimmy).


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    In charge is showrunner Christopher Storer, who came up with the concept after being inspired by his friend’s father Chris Zucchero, the owner of Chicago sandwich joint Mr Beef.

    With his professional chef sister also serving as a consultant, Storer succeeded in creating a deliciously authentic and intensely real drama. Buoyed along the way by 21 Emmys and five Golden Globes, Storer also watched his cast ascend, the tortured-soul performance of White garnering particular praise.

    Testing the parameters of a long-running show, Storer focused in on the entire cast of characters and their backstories, a successful tactic used by shows such as Orange is the New Black to keep the drama – largely confined to a kitchen set – fresh.

    Pulling in Hollywood die-hards Oliver Platt and Jamie Lee Curtis for familial tough-love roles further enriched the mix, often using a non-chronological timeframe to go back to moments of family turbulence and tension. This made for three-dimensional characters and enabled evolution around difficult themes such as the aftermath of suicide and generational trauma.

    The Bear has come a long way in three seasons, starting with a spit and sawdust establishment serving up the lunchtime beef sandwiches for its working customers.

    Carmy’s experience and longing for the high-end restaurant of his dreams hurtled forward in season two, as he sent his core crew off in different directions to hone their skills and help form his vision. A restaurant trying to win success but plagued with challenges, there were exhausting familial tensions embedded in every episode of season three.

    Several themes play out in The Bear: love, family, loyalty, community and purpose. The relationship between Carmy and cousin Richie (not a real cousin, but a term of endearment) is key to linking past and future. Richie provides some of the highlights of comedy and pathos as he spits truth bombs, most frequently at talented sous-chef Syd.

    It is Syd who follows Carmy’s aspirations for gastronomic perfection but can’t abide the lack of order or the intense highs and lows that inevitably go hand in hand with his talent. And this is one central question to consider for the latest series: just how long will the audience remain loyal to Carmy and his endless quest for artistry in a high-failure rate industry?

    It’s all in the sauce

    Storer begins season four with a ghost. Carmy and his dead brother Mikey (Jon Berthal) banter in a seven-minute scene, with Carmy ultimately confiding the dream of a restaurant as Mikey watches him make tomato sauce (“too much garlic”). The tomatoes resonate: Mikey left behind money hidden in tomato cans that ended up saving Carmy’s sanity and his dream of a proper restaurant.

    Just as oranges represent death to Frances Ford Coppola, Storer uses tomatoes to underscore themes; here they symbolise familial loyalty and history, a solid base to a meal, a core ingredient. Mikey was one of the core ingredients in Carmy’s life, and now he’s gone.

    A young black woman chef standing at a stove looking watchful and nervous.
    Ayo Edebiri as Sydney Carmy’s second in command who’s trying to counter the highs and lows of The Bear’s kitchen.
    Album / Alamy

    Carmy awakens to a rerun of Groundhog Day on late-night TV and fittingly, we too are back – same dish, now more seasoned and enriched with its core ingredients and ready to serve up a big bowlful of family, love, ambition, strife and grief.

    The episode furthers the theme of loyalty as the restaurant receives The Tribune’s review – the cliffhanger of the season three finale. Naturally, Storer doesn’t let up – the food critic highlights “dissonance” and Carmy is back in emotional chaos, with Syd urging him to lighten up and lose the misery.

    In truth, this series could do with adding some more humour in the mix; the teasing and frivolous banter of season one has got somewhat lost in the seasons that followed.

    Storer ramps up the tension, setting several ticking clocks in place: chiefly Uncle Jimmy’s notice period for the business to turn a profit is literally installed on a digital clock in the kitchen. Then Syd’s headhunter calls, offering her desired autonomy and an exit strategy from the chaos.

    And Carmy raises the stakes with an intention to gain a Michelin star. Thus a heroic journey is set in place for the whole cast, with future battles both internal and external laid out.

    There’s too much going on at this feast and the feeling of being stuffed full of story is tangible by the end of the first episode. Still, with a season lining up more emotional turbulence steered by White, more celebrity cameos (Brie Larson and Rob Reiner are lined up) and the excellent cinematography and performances that we have come to expect, Storer stirs his secret sauce.

    The Bear still offers an entertaining and enticing proposition, bingeable and mostly satisfying.

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  • HIV treatment linked to risk of early knee osteoarthritis

    HIV treatment linked to risk of early knee osteoarthritis

    Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS, caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), weakens the body’s immune system and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Although there is currently no cure for AIDS, the widespread use of antiretroviral therapies has successfully transformed what was once a fatal diagnosis into a manageable chronic condition. Given this increased life expectancy, the focus has now shifted to non-AIDS comorbidities such as cancer, diabetes, and even osteoarthritis (OA), since HIV-infected individuals are at a higher risk of developing these conditions than the general population. However, there has been controversy regarding the premature aging of knee joints and the prevalence of OA in HIV-infected individuals.

    Now, in a study published online on June 03, 2025, in the journal Bone Research, a team of researchers led by Dr. Zanjing Zhai at Shanghai Jiaotong University in Shanghai, China, has investigated the link between protease inhibitors (PIs), a class of drugs used to manage HIV, and the potential acceleration of OA development. In addition, they explored the underlying biological mechanisms that were responsible for this association.

    First, they studied a group of 151 HIV-infected individuals to observe if PIs (specifically, a combination of the drugs lopinavir and ritonavir) had any association with early development of OA in the knee. “Patients receiving PIs scored lower on the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score questionnaire compared to those not receiving these medications, suggesting worse functional outcomes,” Dr. Zhai explains. Furthermore, X-ray imaging revealed a higher incidence of OA in the knees of patients treated with PIs.

    The researchers then evaluated the effect of various anti-HIV drugs on chondrocytes, the specialized cells comprising cartilage—a tissue in the knee joints that undergoes deterioration in patients with OA. Experiments on cultured chondrocytes as well as mice showed that among 25 anti-HIV drugs screened, lopinavir had the most detrimental effect on chondrocytes. Lopinavir treatment accelerated chondrocyte degradation and promoted senescence, a process in which cells permanently cease growth and division, thereby contributing to the OA development.

    How exactly do PIs accelerate OA development? To answer this, the researchers focused on the gene Zmpste24, which plays a role in arthritis and aging processes and has been previously reported to be inhibited by lopinavir. Interestingly, they found that lopinavir’s effects on chondrocytes were dependent on Zmpste24 expression. When the gene was ‘knocked out’ or not expressed, lopinavir no longer exacerbated chondrocyte degradation and senescence or worsened cartilage degeneration in mice.

    To understand the mechanism by which lopinavir-induced inhibition of Zmpste24 accelerates OA, they explored the underlying biological pathways and genes affected in this process. They found that Zmpste24 inhibition compromises nuclear membrane stability, which disrupts the interaction between Usp7 and Mdm2 proteins. This disruption activates the p53 signaling pathway, ultimately accelerating cartilage senescence. The study also revealed increasing the expression of Zmpste24 can have the opposite effect, i.e., it can reduce the OA severity in mice.

    How does this study impact the millions of people worldwide who are currently living with HIV? “This study provides new insights into PI-containing regimens and their relation to early OA development in people living with HIV and unveils a new mechanism underlying Zmpste24-related senescence,” explains Dr. Zhai. “Based on our findings, people living with HIV with elevated risk for knee OA should carefully consider their treatment options and choose other regimens when other effective alternatives are available.”

     

    Source:

    Shanghai Jiaotong University

    Journal reference:

    Kong, K., et al. (2025). AIDS patients suffer higher risk of advanced knee osteoarthritis progression due to lopinavir-induced Zmpste24 inhibition. Bone Research. doi.org/10.1038/s41413-025-00431-2.

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  • Cancelled Liverpool Pride 2025 back on after charity steps in

    Cancelled Liverpool Pride 2025 back on after charity steps in

    Laura O’Neill

    BBC News, Liverpool

    BBC Pride parade goers with angel wings in the style of the rainbow flag.
BBC

    The event has become a popular part of Liverpool’s annual party calendar

    Liverpool’s annual Pride celebrations are back on after a charity stepped in to run the event, which was cancelled last month amid financial pressures.

    Original organisers LCR Pride Foundation said it was “with great sadness” the 26 July party and parade would not go ahead due to rising costs and difficulty securing funding.

    Sahir House, the city’s oldest LGBTQ+ charity, now said it had “stepped up” to run the event after widespread disappointment.

    “Thanks to the passion, determination and sheer graft of local artists, activists, organisations and allies, we’ve turned things around to make Pride happen,” the charity said.

    “This year, we’re proudly calling it Liverpool’s Pride – with an apostrophe and an ‘s’ – because this Pride belongs to all of us.

    “It’s Liverpool’s moment to come together, celebrate loudly, protest proudly, and reclaim our Pride with love, resilience and joy.”

    ‘Organisational challenges’

    In a statement on its website, LCR Pride Foundation said it had “listened to the community” and was “pausing to take a breath” and let another group step in to take things forward after a “myriad” of stumbling blocks with this year’s event planning.

    At the time the event was cancelled, it said: “In recent months the charity has faced significant financial and organisational challenges, which have impacted timescales and resulted in it reverting to an almost entirely volunteer-led operation.

    “This, combined with rising costs and difficulty securing national and local funding, has made it impossible to bring Pride in Liverpool to the city this year.

    “We are devastated we will not be able to march together this year, at a time when coming together to stand in solidarity, protest and celebration is needed more than ever, and we understand how difficult this will be for our community.”

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